Columbus-based musician Xenia Shuman, known for her role in the rock band Golomb, is entering a new creative phase. After years of focusing on playing bass and writing harmonies, Shuman has returned to songwriting, releasing two new tracks that reflect her personal journey and creative growth.
Shuman, who performs alongside her partner Mickey Shuman and brother Hawken Holm in Golomb, had stepped away from songwriting, feeling disconnected from the craft. However, her studies in ceramics at Ohio State University played a pivotal role in reigniting her passion for writing music. “The practice of ceramics and just having to make stuff all the time really helped unlock that part of me that could write songs,” Shuman explained.
Her new songs, “God’s Lake” and “Chicago,” delve into themes of life’s mysteries and personal freedom. “God’s Lake” explores spirituality and the cycle of life, inspired by the passing of a family member. Shuman reflects on questions of faith and the afterlife, contemplating whether heaven is a place above or a return to nature. “I’ve never been someone with very solidified religious beliefs, but the longer I’m alive, the more I’m like, there’s definitely something bigger than me,” she said.
“Chicago” captures a personal narrative of a solo drive to the city, a moment of both freedom and solitude. The song reflects on a time when Shuman and Mickey planned to move to Los Angeles, a plan altered by the onset of Covid, leading to their return to Columbus and the formation of Golomb. Shuman will perform her new solo project at ComFest, supported by her Golomb bandmates and other local musicians.
Creative Growth Through Personal Experiences
Shuman’s return to songwriting marks a significant personal and creative milestone. Her new work is more introspective, drawing from real-life experiences rather than imagined scenarios. This shift in her creative process has allowed her to connect more deeply with her music and her audience.
As Shuman continues to explore her artistic path, she remains open to the lessons life has to offer. “Every day I’m trying to teach myself that lesson, that I have no idea where things are going,” she shared, embracing the unpredictability of life and creativity.
Original reporting: Matter News (Columbus) — read the source article.
